While packing my bag for my trip to Japan, I brought along a sturdy notebook. Little did I know that it was going to be my travel buddy throughout my journey. Each day I wrote down the wonder I felt when I saw new sights, the unexpected joy as I walked the unfamiliar streets and the even the simplest reflections I had were not left unrecorded. This year in Japan, I discovered the importance and the thrill of documenting one’s adventures.

I’m a kind of person who finds joy in the simple things. When something makes me happy, and I immediately write them down. Sometimes I feel so shallow haha! Some of my entries even include the inflight wifi and the yummy inflight meal – in a bento box! Oh I just love airplane food, don’t you? 🙂

Just in case you’re wondering, Tokyu Hands is a craft store HEAVEN in Japan. Five to seven floors (depending on the branch) of pure crafty bliss. Planners, Craft items, Notebooks, Pens, Brushes and a chock-full of stationery supplies! Don’t ask me how long it took me to go through all of it…

Two Hours.

Japan is known for it’s rich culture and creativity. Art is everywhere! The walls, the streets, their everyday products and even food. I don’t normally take food photos but I do sketch them onto my journal.

I personally have no sense of direction when it comes to roads and places. It was truly an adventure going through the streets of Tokyo with my little brother.

Every New Year’s Eve, I make it a point to read my Bible and claim God’s promise for me for the coming year. I prayed a simple prayer expressing my fears, doubts and worries about life; and He gave me this verse. I wrote it down: “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” It brings me great comfort up to this very day.

The morning of January 1st, I looked out the hotel window and to my surprise, the rooftops were covered in white – it was snowing! I smiled because it feels like God wants me to know that this year will be beautiful. In spite of everything that will come, through the storms and the pain, God is there to watch over and let blessings come down, just like snow. And when it does, I will smile and wonder why I was even worried in the first place.

After experiencing the beauty of traveling with a journal, I wanted to share the joy of it with others and teach them how to create their own.

For the month of March, I held a tandem workshop in partnership with Life on Ink, which we called the 2015 Travel Journal Workshop at Mrs. Graham’s Cafe (Scout Rallos, Tomas Morato).

The workshop covered the basics of lettering, the tips and tricks of layouting and what to write on one’s first travel journal.

It was a small class, but I loved it! More often than not, I enjoy teaching in small groups because I get to know my students personally. This bunch is such a lively group of ladies, I can’t wait to see how beautiful their worksare when they travel this summer!

Overall the workshop has been a blast! I have enjoyed getting to know the ladies of our first 2015 Travel Journal Workshop and I was so blessed to have the opportunity to share the beauty of documenting one’s adventures. 🙂